The Patriots will draft an LB in round one...

[patsox23]

Next year. Timely thread, I know. But I'm sick of looking at all these same titles and I just wanted to go on record saying - BANKING - that the Patriots will at long last use one of their 1st rounders on a young playmaking LB, as we see Tedy and Seau retire, and Vrabel, Colvin and Thomas climb into their 30s.

Book. It.

(That's your cue to say, "It's not even the second pre-season game and you're talking about the 2008 draft?!" Which is, in turn, my cue to say, "I'm bored. It's a good topic. And F off.")

 

[satz]

"Chad Jackson" enough said for me

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

It's funny...I was thinking about this last night. And if I HAD to bet right now, that would be my bet too, even though "Belichick doesn't draft LBs high".

 

[cstjohn17]

The Patriots don't pursue top end free agents, or sign their players early. The will never draft a guard or RB in the first round...

Seriously I have said CB or LB in round 1 for the past 5 years, look what that has gotten me.

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

I'm hoping we draft at least 2 linebackers early next draft.

If I could build a defense from scratch I Would have our Dline exactly like it is then I guess Ad would work as a MLB.

For the other linebacker in the middle I'd have to go with a Bruschi or don't hate me but a London Fletcher-Baker.

On the Outside it be ideally Demarcus Ware and Kamberon Wimberly, that's right no love for Roidman Merriman.

Anyway I guess I'm trying to say if we could get 2 players of that magnitude as rush linebackers who cares what our secondary looks like!

 

[BelichickFan]

Don't think so. They've had ample need and opportunity the past two years and they haven't done it. I'm not going to say "they never will" but I said "I'll believe it when I see it" before this year's draft and we passed on Harris who I bet they liked. So I don't think so.

 

[GoWhalers]

As the old expression says...

...even a stopped clock is right two times a day!

 

[Remix 6]

It's funny...I was thinking about this last night. And if I HAD to bet right now, that would be my bet too, even though "Belichick doesn't draft LBs high".

BB doesnt draft RBs high. oh wait..Maroney.

BB doesnt draft CBs high..oh wait. we havent had the chance to prove it yet.

hes been here for what..7 years? expect him to draft every position? He spent 3 first round picks on DL who have become amazing. hes built a DL. He'll get an LB early when he wants.

 

[BelichickFan]

BB doesnt draft RBs high. oh wait..Maroney.

That's a weak argument because there's only 1 starting RB - 4.5% of the starting lineup. There's 4 starting LB - 18% of the starting lineup.

There are other logical reasons too. Things like other positions are more based on athletic ability vs. LB being more instinct and experience and LB coming to the Patriots would usually have to change positions (DE to OLB or OLB to ILB) which adds additional risk.

Put it this way - since Belichick came to the Patriots we've used 34 picks in rounds 1-4. None have been LB. Evenly distributed among the starting positions, 6 of those picks would have been LB. Do you REALLY think this is a coincidence ?

 

[patsox23]

Don't think so. They've had ample need and opportunity the past two years and they haven't done it. I'm not going to say "they never will" but I said "I'll believe it when I see it" before this year's draft and we passed on Harris who I bet they liked. So I don't think so.

I understand your point, and I know we say it every year, but every year we have Bruschi-Vrabel-Colvin (at least) and next year will be the first time that we will literally DESPERATELY need a LB. It's certainly possible we'll go the FA route, but you have to admit, of all the times we've said "If not this year, then never," the cupboard has never been as bare as it will be in April 2007.

Then again, we have added Thomas - and, hopefully productively, Woods - to the mix, so maybe I'm just being crazy, but at least the thread's approaching double-digits!

 

[BelichickFan]

I understand your point, and I know we say it every year, but every year we have Bruschi-Vrabel-Colvin (at least) and next year will be the first time that we will literally DESPERATELY need a LB. It's certainly possible we'll go the FA route, but you have to admit, of all the times we've said "If not this year, then never," the cupboard has never been as bare as it will be in April 2007.

Understand, I am not saying I don't want one. Nor am I saying it WON'T happen. I'm just saying that it's unlikely. I realize we were supposedly wanting Stewart Bradley in the third round this year so a day one pick isn't out of the realm of possibility. But the numbers say it's unlikely. Depending on the development of Woods we likely need "only" one starter at ILB and one good backup (assuming Bruschi and Seau are gone). But however they choose to fill the spots, a day one LB is unlikely and a round one LB is very unlikely - because the numbers say so.

 

[Water Boy]

The Patriots will at long last use one of their 1st rounders on a young playmaking LB... I'm bored. It's a good topic. And F off."

Dan Connor of Penn State perhaps? Unless Asante signs a long term deal, I'd like to see them pick up CB Antoine Cason in the first round too if he's within reach.

No need to hurl preemptive F-bombs my way. I'm down with Draft threads 365 days/year.

 

[OhExaulted1]

I think it all depends on which FA LB's are available.

There's a MUCH larger history there. Colvin, Thomas, Vrabel, Seau, Cox and Phifer to name a few. Heck, when BB took over he had Mcginist, Bruschi and Johnson from the get-go.

Even the backups have been FA vetrens for the most part. Don Davis, Chad Brown, Larry Izzo, Monty Beisel.

I just think it's more likely we sign a solid LB or 2 next year rather than draft one IMHO.

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

Understand, I am not saying I don't want one. Nor am I saying it WON'T happen. I'm just saying that it's unlikely.

I wouldn't argue with that. I just was going through our first round picks over the past few years in my head and the thought dawned on me, 'this is the year we get a first round LB'. Then this thread shows up today.

 

[cstjohn17]

In the spirit of shameless self-promotion, here is my early list of CBs and LBs I thought may interest the Patriots in the 2008 draft...

full link posted in 08 draft forum (includes Excel file):
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showpost.php?p=475434&postcount=1

Excert
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark my words... this will be the year the Patriots draft a round 1 CB and a Day 1 LB.... ok, I have been saying the same thing to no avail for the past 5 years... but with 5 first day picks I expect these positions to be examined closely.

These are the players I will be watching throughout the year. Attached as an Excel file and .pdf for better viewing.
-----------------------------------------------------
Day One Prospects (listed by positional group in order of impact, higher impact players are at the top)

Position
ILB (6) - Currently play ILB would play ILB in the NFL.
OLB (11) - Potential to switch to ILB or OLB in the NFL
DE (9) - May have ability to convert to OLB
CB (18) - cornerback

Players must meet or have potential to grow into the minimum Height\Weight ratios for the patriots system
*Indicates Junior


Position Projected Round LastName FirstName School Height Weight 40 Time
ILB 1 Laurinaitis* James Ohio State 6-3 247 4.59
ILB 1 Wheeler Philip Georgia Tech 6-2 235 4.62
ILB 1-2 Maualuga* Rey Southern Cal 6-3 250 4.72
ILB 1-2 Brinkley Jasper South Carolina 6-2 258 4.72
ILB 2 Bell Beau UNLV 6-2 248 4.63
ILB 3 Goff Jonathan Vanderbilt 6-2 238 4.72
OLB 1 Groves Quentin Auburn 6-3 250 4.46
OLB 1 Cushing* Brian Southern Cal 6-4 245 4.65
OLB 1 Rivers Keith Southern Cal 6-3 235 4.58
OLB 1 Henderson* Erin Maryland 6-3 242 4.67
OLB 1 Connor Dan Penn State 6-3 232 4.67
OLB 1-2 Lee* Sean Penn State 6-2 232 4.67
OLB 1-2 Butler Ezra Nevada 6-2 248 4.54
OLB 2-3 Crable Shawn Michigan 6-5 245 4.65
OLB 2-3 Avril Cliff Purdue 6-3 250 4.78
OLB 3 Davis Bruce UCLA 6-3 235 4.69
OLB 3-4 Gooden Tavares Miami 6-2 235 4.47
DE 1 Harvey* Derrick Florida 6-5 252 4.73
DE 1 Blake Tommy TCU 6-3 258 4.73
DE 1 Gholston* Vernon Ohio State 6-4 258 4.67
DE 1-2 Jackson Lawrence Southern Cal 6-5 268 4.89
DE 2 Ellis Chris Virginia Tech 6-5 256 4.74
DE 2 Robertson Darrell Georgia Tech 6-5 245 4.78
DE 2-3 Ortiz Chase TCU 6-2 256 4.84
DE 3 Harrington Chris Texas A&M 6-5 268 4.79
DE 3 Iwebema Kenny Iowa 6-4 265 4.89
CB 1 King* Justin Penn State 6-0 186 4.38
CB 1 Thomas Terrell Southern Cal 6-1 198 4.46
CB 1 Tribble DeJuan Boston College 5-09 190 4.49
CB 1 Hefney Jonathan Tennessee 5-09 185 4.47
CB 1 Talib* Aqib Kansas 6-2 190 4.57
CB 1 Flowers* Brandon Virginia Tech 5-10 190 4.47
CB 1 Jenkins* Malcolm Ohio State 6-1 202 4.45
CB 1-2 Cason Antoine Arizona 6-0 190 4.54
CB 1-2 Rodgers-Cromartie Dominique Tennessee State 6-2 182 4.44
CB 1-2 Phillips* Randy Miami 6-0 192 4.55
CB 1-2 Ikegwuonu* Jack Wisconsin 6-1 202 4.54
CB 2 Porter Tracy Indiana 5-11 185 4.38
CB 2 Lowery Dwight San Jose 6-1 185 4.55
CB 2 Zenon Jonathan LSU 6-0 180 4.58
CB 2-3 Williams Trae South Florida 5-10 185 4.40
CB 2-3 Jackson Chevis LSU 6-0 192 4.58
CB 3 Sharpe Glenn Miami 6-0 186 4.42
CB 3-4 Walker Marcus Oklahoma 5-11 198 4.45

 

[patsox23]

Gotta say, this has turned into a great, interesting thread - differing opinions, all well supported. Thanks, all, for getting us through - just one more hour and we can get onto bigger and better things!

Thanks!

 

[patsox23]

FWIW, nfl draft countdown has us taking...

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/sub/mockdraft.html

The Ohio State LB Laurinaitis

and...

The Arizona CB Cason

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

I really think that BB doesn't value corners as much as D lineman as far as lb's that's anybody's guess.
I remember reading somewhere that he was nuts about terrel suggs and tried hard to land him do u think that if baltimore can't get the deal done then BB would give up a 1st for his rights?

 

[patsox23]

No way would the Ravens deal Suggs. They love him. He's an impact player.

 

[PATSNUTme]

It broke my heart that we couldn't get Patrick Willis this year.

Thanks for bring up bad memories.